Aaron Doran ICTFC Legend

This Saturday it's a day to say thankyou to a club legend. Aaron Brian Cogan Doran has given the main chunk of his footballing career to the Caley Jags since joining from Blackburn Rovers having previously been loaned out to Milton Keynes Dons and Leyton Orient. He was initially signed on a six month loan deal by Terry Butcher, making 14 appearances scoring 3 times. His debut was as a substitute for Stuart Duff in a 2-0 defeat by Aberdeen on 26th January 2011. His first goal came against St Mirren in a 3-3 draw some three weeks later on the 12th of February 2011. Here is how we saw it on CTO: the Saints managed to clear the danger temporarily, the ball only came as far as David Proctor, who threw a dangerous looping ball into the box. Adam Rooney seemed to get some sort of touch on it and as the ball bounced beyond Richie Foran, Aaron Doran came steaming in at the back post and fired it into the roof of the net. (This portion of the match report was brought to you by the miracle of BBC highlights: I was in the bog at the time.) His third Caley Jags goal was a belter. A spectacular curling effort from distance against St Johnstone in a televised 3-0 game on 25th April 2011. Pick that one out. He was then signed on a permanent deal at the end of the season and he embarked on a fantastic career at the Caledonian Stadium spanning 13 years until injury cut his time here short and he left under a cloud of controversy created by the Scot Gardiner oligarchy and with a damaged knee to contend with. That was the low point of a tremendous career, littered with goals, assists, flair and a Scottish Cup winners medal round his neck. Who can forget his brilliant precision assist for the opening goal in the final against Falkirk back in 2015. Superb. A great footballing brain in a career blighted by injuries. 

Aaron was painted by talented local artist 👩‍🎨 Sophie Robb, a big Caley Jags fan herself, holding the Scottish Cup aloft in 2015. In total, he made 392 (118 from the bench) appearances for Inverness scoring 57 goals. His last appearance sadly lasted only 19 minutes when he was helped from the pitch with another serious knee injury against Raith Rovers on 19th April 2024, a sad end to his playing career at the Caledonian Stadium, although unknown to us at the time, worse would follow. He is second only to Ross Tokely in appearances. A Scottish Cup winner and a Challenge Cup winner and also played in the Scottish Cup Final in 2023. He was the Supporters Player of the Year in 2023.  When he left Inverness in June 2024 he joined up with Ryan Esson at Strathspey Thistle where he now helps with the coaching and still helps out on the pitch. So much so he managed to score against the Caley Jags in a recent pre-season game. All the best Aaron.

Not many can top these stats

Here is Aaron's career strikes against the County. He does like a wee goal against the gudgies.

Some additional information. This game will be a full pre-season friendly for both teams. Aaron will obviously feature at some point in the game but both teams will be fielding strong teams.

We are hoping some ex players may be able to join us a bit later in the bar for a catch up. 

There will be buses running, times will be confirmed but as you have noticed parking will be limited so this could be a good option for many of you.

Match tickets can be bought online at eticketing.co.uk/ictfc

Bar 94 will be open from 11:30 and will reopen at full time, with the usual range of products (and we have held the price of a pint of Dog Falls at £5). We hope to see you there to enjoy what the Testimonial Committee have lined up for the day.

With the circus taking place in the car park, please use the matchday bus if you are able to as parking will be restricted at and around the ground. It leaves the Bus Station at 1145 and 1315, returning from the Stadium 10 minutes after the full time whistle and at 1700.

The fare is £2.70 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.

Stagecoach have advised that all revenue taken on the service on Saturday will be donated to Aaron's Testimonial Fund, so that is another great reason to use the service, as Aaron will be directly benefitting from your journey.

From the Official ICTFC SITE

On behalf of the Aaron Doran Testimonial Committee, tickets are now available for Aaron Doran’s testimonial with Ross County.

Aaron Doran Testimonial

ICT v ROSS COUNTY – SATURDAY 5th JULY 2025

Kick off 2:00 pm

Tickets for this match, which is kindly sponsored by Mackellar Engineering Ltd are now on sale. Tickets are priced at £15 and £5 (under 16s only) and can be purchased at Caledonian Stadium or online from eticketing.co.uk/ictfc

Home support will be housed in the Main Stand only for this game purely to reduce the costs for Aaron and the away fans will be accommodated in the South Stand. Should you wish to join Section 94 they will be taking up temporary residence in Lower B of the Main Stand. 

Aaron has served ICT for over 13 years, which is almost unique in modern day football, and it is hoped that supporters will recognise this loyalty and attend the game in numbers.

It has been some time since ICT and Ross County have opposed each other and, with the game being played on the last weekend prior to the season commencing, the club’s will be fielding their strongest teams. Both clubs have been busy signing new players so come along and see them in action.

It is appreciated that as this game is being played at the start of the school holidays some supporters will not be able to attend the match and if they would wish to support the Testimonial they can make a donation either by buying a ticket for the game or via bank transfer to 

Santander: 

Account name: Aaron Doran Testimonial

Sort Code 09-01-29

Account no 34452181

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For those interested in how the game went: The only man to upstage Ronan Hale was Aaron Doran himself as Hale scored twice in the first half. However, that was of secondary importance as this day belonged to Aaron Doran in front of a guesstimated circa 2000 fans. 

🔴🔵 Special moment as Aaron Doran comes on pic.twitter.com/kVjla2c0dN

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) July 5, 2025

Aaron Doran was a substitute for the Caley Jags in his testimonial game against local rivals Ross County, who aired their new strip for season 25/26

Both sides fielded strong line-ups with the hosts benching Doran and fielding two trialists on from the start. Doran was in good company with Billy Mckay, Luis Longstaff and new signing Jordan Alonge on the bench beside him.

A bright and breezy afternoon for this 2:00pm kick off with County getting the game underway, kicking towards the North Stand.

Ronan Hale bagged the opener in the seventh minute with a great finish, Cornelius with the assist. Ross Laidlaw in the County goal saved from Wotherspoon ten minutes before the break, but right on the interval Hale scored from a thumping free kick to double the visitors advantage.

HALF TIME: 0-2

Changes were made at the interval by County with Inverness waiting until the hour before McKay, Longstaff, Robbie Thompson and new signing Jordan Alonge were introduced. Billy Mckay brought Laidlaw into action with twenty minutes remaining. The main man came on to an appreciative round of applause from a decent support, replacing Wotherspoon on 70 minutes to say his farewells. More subs followed by both as everyone got involved in the play. Sub keeper Logan Ross denied Eamonn Brophy near the end.

FULL TIME: 0-2

Decent workout for both sides. Ronan Hale showing his class with two great strikes, but today was not about the result, it was to show our gratitude for a great servant to the club.

Thank you Aaron Doran

image by Trevor Martin

⚽️ Ronan Hale’s double from yesterday’s match. pic.twitter.com/3BuSY1mTPI

— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) July 6, 2025

Lewis Nicolson Leaves Football

The club can announce that defender Lewis Nicolson has taken the decision to step away from football. 

<article image from ictfc>

Lewis, 21 years-old, has suffered two serious knee injuries during his time with the club and has now decided to pursue career opportunities elsewhere. 

“Over the past two years I have struggled to return from injury, but through this period everyone at the club, the fans and my sponsors have been incredibly supportive. It has been such a difficult decision to step away from football but with the scare of this second injury and after three knee operations, I have decided to prioritise long term health. I look forward to being a fan once again by supporting the players and management going into next season.”

All the best for the future Lewis from all at CTO. You have put a lot of time and effort into your football career but your long term health is more important. It's disappointing for you but maybe a new beginning is just round the corner.

FULL STATEMENT FROM ICTFC

Start video at 4:57 for Lewis' stunning goal 😎

The last goal in a 4-1 win at Arbroath was the icing on the cake when substitute Lewis Nicolson nudged a header back across the six yard box and into an unguarded net, cool as you like. Mckay and then Steven Boyd combined to set up the chance which Lewis executed exquisitely, his second goal for the club.

Both his goals were scored in the 86th minute. (lucky number for you Lewis?)

Hope it all works out for you having committed yourself to the Caley Jags only to have your dreams torn away through injury.

All at CTO will give you our best wishes.

Voted by CTO Online

Keith Bray PotY

Keith has had a great season picking up points for outstanding performances throughout the season, scoring 11 goals including a hat-trick away to Cove Rangers.  He picked up two yellow cards in the season, and has been a tremendous all round player for the team on the ground or in the air. Keith also won the Official ICTFC Young Player of the Year Award x2, voted by the players and by the fans. What a season for the young man from the Western Isles!

He signed a four year contract with Dunfermline in January and were lucky to keep the young man for the second half of the season to help us remain in this league avoiding the play-offs. Good luck for the next stage of your development, I'm sure with your commitment and focus you will go on to greater things.

Player of the Year 

Winner with 70  points is Keith Bray  

• Second with 64 points Luis Longstaff
• Third with 57 points Adam MacKinnon
• Fourth with 52 points Charlie Gilmour
• Fifth with 47 points Musa Dibaga
• Sixth with 35 points Remi Savage
• Monthly Winners
• July                  Keith Bray
• August             Adam MacKinnon
• September      Musa Dibaga
• October           Adam MacKinnon
• November       Luis Longstaff
• December       Luis Longstaff
• January           Alfie Bavidge
• February         Luis Longstaff
• March             Keith Bray
• April/May       Joint 1st Bray - Gilmour - B Mckay

Well done Keith  and all the best for the future with Dunfermline and hopefully at a bigger club in the years beyond. Here's what we will be missing and what the Pars will be gaining...

Our lad from Stornoway 🫡

Massive thank you to Keith Bray as he starts a new chapter in his career at Dunfermline Athletic FC next season. pic.twitter.com/4Iosb99BZP

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) May 12, 2025

⭐️ Our 2024/25 Players’ Young Player of the Year & 2024/25 Fans’ Young Player of the Year, Keith Bray!

Congratulations Keith! 👏 pic.twitter.com/fkNEgQQ2rt

— Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (@ICTFC) April 27, 2025

Here is the breakdown of Keith's PotY winning season:-

Thank you again for all your votes throughout the season please continue for the next one  

Thanks to IBM for compiling the PotY stats throughout the season along with other background chores to help keep CTO up to date.

Latest Updates on Admin March 28th

In a fast moving Administration news couple of weeks, the Joint Administrators issued a worrying statement on the 17th of March stating there were no offers on the table. That prompted former vice chairman Allan Mackenzie to hold a powwow on Wednesday 19th March where interested parties, or maybe more correctly, parties with an interest gathered round the peace pipe in an effort to come up with a way forward that will assist in the sale of the club. Subsequently, with the path for a sale cleaned up, Alan Savage has now put in a bid of £800K. We now await BDO to play their hand.

That's much more promising news for the Caley Jags fans as the team do their best on the park.

STATEMENT BY JOINT ADMINISTRATORS OF INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE FC March 17th 2025

Despite a strong level of interest from several parties, the Joint Administrators (JAs) of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC (ICT) are disappointed to confirm that no offers were received for the club by the deadline of 5pm on Thursday 6 March 2025.

Feedback from interested parties highlighted three concerns.

Firstly, as any transaction would include the use of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to compromise ICT’s debt, interested parties expressed concern re the current level of loans (circa £3.5 million) from former directors of ICT (the Loan Creditors). A CVA requires 75% or more of creditors voting in favour. Interested Parties indicated agreeing any sale and purchase agreement was problematic as a number of loan creditors were at a value where they could veto a CVA proposal.

Secondly, the nature of the club’s disparate shareholdings is impacting the ability of a potential acquiror to have adequate control.

And finally, the uncertainties stemming from the ownership of land surrounding the stadium.

While the JAs are continuing to work towards a resolution, which would include a transaction and CVA to allow the club to exit the Administration free from historical debts and retain its status in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), a sale transaction does not appear to be achievable in the absence of new parties coming forward and the future of the club is now at significant risk.

The JAs are continuing to work to seek resolution to these issues.

Prior to the JAs’ appointment in the summer of 2024, the Loan Creditors had agreed to write off their loans. The JAs have written to the relevant former directors requesting that they now fulfil their agreement. Some have agreed, others are pending. The JAs remain hopeful that this issue can be resolved shortly.

To address the concern about the nature of the disparate shareholding, the JAs have also written to a number of material shareholders setting out the position and requesting that their shares are returned to the club, or the potential acquiror, at no cost. Further letters will be issued next week. A number have agreed to this request and the JAs hope that this issue can also be resolved.

The JAs have also approached Alan Savage, former club Chair, to ascertain if he could be prepared to support the club on an ongoing basis. Mr Savage has provided support to ICT in administration and has ensured funding is in place for the club to complete the 24/25 season. His commitment since the summer of 2024 until the end of the season will be circa £1million.

Mr Savage has indicated he would be prepared to provide the following level of support to enable the survival of the club:

Provide 25% of the acquisition price of the club, and

25% of the funding requirements for the next two seasons after 24/25.

This funding would be based on prepared budgets, with cost controls in place. Any deal Mr Savage would support will also require the resolution of the issues outlined. If an acceptable offer is put forward, the JAs hope to present a CVA to the creditors for their consideration with a meeting of creditors to take place by the end of April.

A BDO spokesperson said: “We appreciate that this latest update will be disappointing for players, fans and the wider community.

“Given what has been achieved both on and off the pitch throughout the Administration period, we would very much like to see a sale of the club to ensure that its future is secured and we would encourage all parties to cooperate in this endeavour.

“We are grateful for Alan Savage’s ongoing financial support and would urge any interested parties to come forward with a view to acquire the club. The JAs would welcome the opportunity to discuss and provide a guide in respect of an acceptable price.”

ICT FC Press Statement - Wednesday, 19th March, 2025

Issued by Allan Mackenzie (former vice Chairman and adviser) following a meeting held earlier today with key Shareholders.

Meeting attendees – Allan Mackenzie (Chairman), David Cameron, Ross Morrison, Allan Munro, David Sutherland, Graham Rae, Roddy Ross, Alan Savage, Graeme Bennett and George Moodie (representing the Supporters Trust). Craig Maclean (Minutes).

(Apologies were intimated from Dougie McGilvray (Weldex) and Richard Smith (ICT Trust).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Allan Mackenzie statement:

Following the Statement issued on Monday 17th March, 2025, by BDO, the Joint Administrators (JAs) of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, (ICT), I offered to convene a meeting of the key shareholders of ICT to try to explore the possibility of finding a fast and meaningful way forward, to addressing the key 3 issues identified by BDO as currently inhibiting their drive to procure a sale of the club to a new Buyer.

I was delighted by the attendance at the meeting and thank all attendees for coming with a positive intent to look for solutions, geared to an aim of wanting to do their very best for the club to ensure its survival.

The 3 key uses from the BDO statement have been identified as

1.  Loans
2.  Shares and
3.  Land. (surrounding the Stadium).

I am pleased to report, that after long, commercially focused and collaborative debate, all parties agreed to sensible proposals to address all 3 matters, subject, of course, to getting appropriate assurances from BDO on each matter.

For my part, I undertook to engage with BDO, as a matter of urgency, to ask that they capitalise on this tremendous goodwill and to assiduously advance the Administration with a view to securing a successful CVA, securing a buyer and exiting the process by the end of the current season.

BDO should now have a very much better “sales pitch” for the people who have expressed interest in buying the club and, needless to say, the parties today and the staff at the Club will use best endeavours to assist them in that enterprise.

Much needs to be done in a very short space of time, but I am now very much more optimistic that this exercise, which has been necessary, albeit painful for all, can advance to an early conclusion.

We owe it to the loyal and dedicated staff at the club and to Scott Kellacher and the team, (all of whom have done their best from their perspective) to demonstrate the same commitment and focus.

Inevitably in a commercial deal, such as this, there will follow a period of “purdah” whilst detailed negotiations take place. Please do not treat this as stasis. Rest assured everyone is working diligently to secure the positive outcome mentioned above and as soon as is possible, a further update(s) will be issued publicly.

Meantime, thank you all for your patience and commitment to the ICT cause.

See you on Saturday!

Allan Mackenzie

Inverness.

19.III.25

Mr Mackenzie's efforts were very much appreciated and subsequently Alan Savage has made his opening bid to buy the Club. Alan released this statement on 28th March 2025.

Alan Savage bids £800K

Everyone who has an interest in Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club knows the predicament the Club is in.

With the clock ticking I thought it was the right time to bring my personal offer to the table to buy the Club out of administration.

It is as follows:

I am setting up a company, let’s call it FC Inverness as a special purpose vehicle to buy the Club out of Administration for £800,000 and this offer is open until close of business 11th April 2025.

My offer to James Stephen, BDO’s Administrator is conditional on:

1.   100% of the shares are transferred to FC Inverness.
2.   All long-term loans are written off.
3.   All the trade creditors sitting in Administration accept that their debts are settled.
4.   The company PropCo gives a written undertaking to sell the peripheral lease (excluding the triangle) to Inverness Caledonian Thistle for the price agreed at the meeting on Wednesday 19th March with an assurance that the purchase can be completed by 18th April.

Under my control the immediate drivers will be to keep the Club’s football licences, stay in Division 1 and prepare for next season. The team around me will remain the same Kell, Billy, Charlie, Grassa and Andrew.

The medium-term goal is to be playing mid table Championship within the next couple of years.

Obviously as I have said before, the Club will need help and I am hoping that being out of Administration and debt free will encourage local Businesses and Governmental bodies to step up to the financial plate.

For the record:

If my action prompts the acceleration of a better offer from another Buyer I will immediately step aside.

My offer last August was to fund this club for 3 months until a buyer was found, this was extended to the end of the season and that still stands. But without ownership and full control I can only pay up to June’s wages if my offer is not accepted.

Over to BDO.

End of statement.

NEW DIGITAL MONTHLY UPDATE FROM THE CLUB

To keep supporters updated on different aspects of the club, we’re delighted to launch a new free Monthly Digital Newsletter

Well done to ICTFC who have produced this informative digital magazine for the fans👏

DOWNLOAD HERE

The first issue contains:

• The latest from Head Coach Scott Kellacher
• Focus on feature with Billy Mckay
• Charlie’s Chat – The latest from Interim CEO Charlie Christie
• ICT Academy Update
• ICTWFC with Karen Mason
• Meet the Player: Remi Savage
• ICT Community Trust Column
• ICT Supporters Trust news

Edited just now 

The First Cut is the Deepest

BREAKING NEWS:  Duncan Ferguson, Gary Bollan and Stuart Garden are the first heads to roll at cash strapped Caley Jags as the Administrators wield the big axe.

Official Statement: Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that Manager Duncan Ferguson, Assistant Manager Gary Bollan and Goalkeeping Coach Stuart Garden have left the club with immediate effect following the ongoing review of the financial position with the Joint Administrators. 

The club would like to place on record our thanks to Duncan, Gary and Stuart for their efforts while at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and wish them the very best in the future.

Scott Kellacher, first team coach, is stepping up to take over as first team head coach with immediate effect.  A full update on first team coaching staff going forward will be made in due course. Rumours abound that Billy Mckay may well be used as player coach to back up Kellacher.

***Update 24/10/2024***

Duncan Ferguson gone. 

(Scott Kellacher is new head coach, with Billy Mckay as player coach)

Gary Bollan gone

Stuart Garden gone

Players out

• Cameron Ferguson (12 appearances, enough said)
• Adam Brooks (7 goals in 41 appearances)
• Flynn Duffy (injured at present)
• Wallace Duffy (113 apps, 5 goals)
• Jack Newman (loan ended back to Dundee United)

Good summary on CTO from CB:

All behind the scenes jobs retained for the moment, with possible reductions in hours. AS, who was at the top table with the admin and was confirmed as on his way on to the board, committed to ongoing funding, and this is probably why redundancies are relatively light. There have been three bids since the Admin came in… AS isn’t one of them. They expect the process to take weeks rather than months. The Admin confirmed that they would be looking at past financial  practices and - when prompted - agreed that if there had been criminality, it would be looked into. Debt situation not yet clear and admin wouldn’t discuss any individual creditor when RM’s name was raised. Proposal to convert “Kingsmills Suite” into a restaurant franchise.

Link to CTO topic regarding cuts will be updated as and when we receive the information.

They Think It's All Over!

With only eight days left to raise £200K, Inverness Caledonian Thistle are staring Administration squarely between the eyes after years of mismanagement and burying their collective heads in the sand as chairmen, chief executives and other board members failed to pay due diligence in the running of a football club. Alan Savage's deep dive into the finances at the club have revealed some shockingly bad inadequacies by the previous regime which is why the club are in the state they are in. However, it's now about survival, about saving the club from further damage, that is the current priority as the present incumbents are striving to keep the club afloat. There are allegedly some 'interested parties' looking at taking over the club, however, as a struggling League 1 side with some £3M of debt, it's a big risk for anyone after the mess that has been left behind. 

The GO FUND ME PAGE organised by the club in a last ditch effort to stave of Administration and even worse, liquidation has so far raised only £70K. That's £130K short of the target to be reached by 16th October, 2024, eight days from now.

Below is the full video from the meeting held last night at the Caledonian Stadium, with Scott Young thrown in at the deep end.